The type of publication - report, monograph, journal article or chapter from a book

Publication Type:

Report (in Series)

Abstract

The abstract describing the content of the publication or report

Abstract:

An archaeological watching brief was undertaken by Oakford Archaeology between April and November 2012 during building work at Heath Cottage, Bridford (SX 8175 8819). The site lies in the northeast corner of the parish, close to the river Teign. Heath Cottage is a grade II Listed building dating to the 17th century, with a basic two-room cross passage plan and minor later modifications. A watching brief was maintained during works associated with the removal of existing concrete floor surfaces. The initial ground reduction for the new flooring extended to a depth of 0.35-0.4m. The removal of concrete floors exposed elements of an earlier cobbled surface in the cross passage and the corridor leading to the parlour. Further areas of cobbled surface survived in the present toilet, while some cobbling survived in the living room and the parlour. The cobbled surface in the cross passage consisted of small to medium size water-worn stones on a bed of sand that overlay the natural subsoil. These were probably part of the original 17th-early 18th century flooring. The cobbles in the passage leading to the parlour are likely to be similar in date. Two square sockets, located immediately to the left of the entrance, indicate the original extent of the 17th century timber partition. The cobbling in the present toilet consisted of slightly larger cobbles, located at a slightly higher level to those in the cross passage. It is probable that these date to the late 18th-early 19th century, when the farmhouse was extensively modernised and the original parlour divided by the insertion of a staircase and a small service room below.